Flawless Vettel makes it four-in-a-row in Korea

A flawless Sebastian Vettel overcame two safety cars to claim an eighth win of 2013 and the fourth in-a-row at the Korean Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver led all but a handful of laps around the pit-stops on his way to a close yet comfortable win at Yeongam.

Kimi Raikkonen took advantage of the safety car just as he did in Singapore to claim second ahead of team-mate Romain Grosjean.

Vettel was untroubled at the start on the run to the first corner leading from pole, behind Grosjean was able to pull a move on Hamilton into turn three for second. Felipe Massa caused panic at turn three spinning at the apex and almost collecting his team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Jenson Button and Adrian Sutil were forced to pit for new front wings as Vettel pulled out a three second advantage within three laps.

The gap would remain stable throughout the first stint as Hamilton couldn't respond to Grosjean's early move. Mark Webber, who started 13th, moved up to eighth before his first stop he would drop back to ninth however following his stop.

A great battle between Hamilton and Grosjean emerged after the first stops the moved just in front of the Mercede., Hamilton attacked into turn three and turn four but the Frenchman was able to hold him back.

Daniel Ricciardo started on the medium compound and moved up as high as third as those ahead pitted, he would however drop back as those on fresh tyres behind came back through.

A brilliant battle raged the entire race between Nico Hulkenberg, who had moved up to fifth at the start, Fernando Alonso, Raikonnen and, after the stops, Webber.

During the second stint the gap at the front gradually increased with Vettel pulling out a five second lead, Paul di Resta became the first casualty of the day crashing out at turn 12.

The four way battle between Hulkenberg, Alonso, Raikkonen and Webber continued. Hulkenberg and Raikkonen pitted early as tyre graining became a major issue. Webber was able to take advantage, moving ahead and then pulled a great move on Alonso to take sixth.

Nico Rosberg was catching Hamilton for third but when the German pulled out to overtake his front wing collapsed in a mass of sparks. But the German was able to get back to the pits for a change. Hamilton pitted a lap later.

As the second stops continued Sergio Perez suffered a big tyre failure on the longest straight causing debris to fly across the circuit and bringing out the safety car. Those that had not pitted used this as a chance to do so.

At the restart Vettel led from Grosjean, Raikkonen was up to third following his early second stop, Hamilton fourth ahead of Hulkenberg, Alonso sixth, Button seventh and Rosberg eighth.

On the run to turn three Hamilton was slow and Hulkenberg took full advantage passing the Mercedes, while Adrian Sutil lost control of his Force India under braking for turn three and slid into the side of Webber.

Webber's car quickly caught fire forcing him out a 4x4 was then mistakenly sent onto the circuit causing a second safety car. In that time Raikkonen pulled a great move on Grosjean for second at turn one.

After the second safety car period Vettel again was able to pull out a four second advantage over Raikkonen, with Grosjean third. But the battle was for fourth, Hulkenberg was holding off Hamilton, Alonso, Button and Rosberg.

Hamilton got ahead into turn one but Hulkenberg drove straight back past on the next straight, Alonso then tried to pass the Mercedes into turn four but Hamilton was able to hold the Spaniard off.

Rosberg was able to move ahead of Button for seventh but that was the last of the action as Hulkenberg held on to fourth ahead of Hamilton, Alonso sixth. Rosberg was seventh, Button eighth with Felipe Massa and Sergio Perez completing the top 10.

Raikkonen and Grosjean held formation in second and third but the day belonged to Sebastian Vettel who increases his championship lead to 77 points heading to the Japanese Grand Prix in a week's time.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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